Seems like Marchena will be missing this game as well. A shame, as now we don't have Alex, Marchena, Wilk and Insua. I would've suggested putting Manolo as center back again, and Marchena as our DM... Now we don't have that "luxury".

Seems like Marchena will be missing this game as well. A shame, as now we don't have Alex, Marchena, Wilk and Insua. I would've suggested putting Manolo as center back again, and Marchena as our DM... Now we don't have that "luxury".

I guess we could put Juando there, and try the 4-1-4-1...

I won't make sense playing with one DM and a player that knows how to attack more than to defend

JuanDo and JuanCarlos are similar players. JuanCarlos has played (I think in the cup) at the CM, but he is more of a playmaker, also FV prefers him on the winger toward center. I doubt he is a good solution, but since we don't have many it is an option.

JD playing as the hard core DM is also hard to imagine. He is a converted playmaker and can easily play alongside Alex, Wilk or other Gattuso type of players. I don't like him as the last man of midfield, but again we might not have options.

Marchena (if he is fit) is probably the only one that can and has played as a DM. We also have problems at CB, so MP will probably need to continue there.

Alternatives for CM are as you mentioned JuanCarlos, probably Rabello or even Luisinho (he was already tested there in previous trainings) and that's about it. Fabril doesn't have a lot to offer - Teles is on loan, Sidibe can't alternate, Adrian Martinez, Queijeiro are too green.

__________________
Proud supporter of Deportivo la Coruna and Slovenia national football team

Perfect analysis, Iztok. Luisinho will be the one to play alongside JD, imo. Not ideal, but he'll add a little extra pace there. I just hope he keeps his head and doesn't get involved in anything which would lead to silly yellow & red cards. He has to show discipline in that position. Manny will continue as CB and hopefully he and Lopo last for the full 90 minutes. Recre will hand us the ball possession - that's my main worry!!!